Ruth D. Yanai
Professor

Kikang Bae
kbae02@syr.edu

• Degree Sought: PHD
• Graduate Advisor(s): Yanai
• Area of Study: Ecology and Ecosystems

Graduate Research Topic
- Study site: northern hardwood forests in Bartlett, Jeffers Brook, and Hubbard Brook in NH. TOPIC 1: Investigate differences in soil respiration rate across forest ages and examine the relationship between soil respiration and abiotic (soil temperature, soil moisture) and biotic (roots, litterfall) factors. TOPIC 2: Determine changes of root respiration with trenching and root turnover with minirhizotron tubes after fertilization (+N, +P, +NP) across forest ages. TOPIC 3: Determine the colonization rate of roots by andomycorrhizal fungal (AMF) and ectomycorrhizal fungal (EMF) on roots, and identify the EMF communities in surface and deep soils of young and old forests.

Franklin Diggs
fdiggs@syr.edu

• Degree Sought: MS
• Graduate Advisor(s): Yanai
• Area of Study: FRM Forest Ecosystem Science & Appl

Personal Statement
I am broadly interested in the evolution of symbiosis and in particular mutualisms and the way that these interactions shape the ecosystems that contain them. My specific work is work concerns mycorrhizal systems.

Graduate Research Topic
My work involves investigating root colonization by mycorrhizal fungi across depth and stand age and the use of molecular techniques in monitoring mycorrhizal systems. I work out of the White Mountains in New Hampshire as part of the Multiple Element Limitation in Northern Hardwood Ecosystems.

Craig See
crsee@syr.edu

• Degree Sought: MS
• Graduate Advisor(s): Yanai
• Area of Study: Natural Resources Mgt

Personal Statement
My interests in ecology are broad, and range from species to ecosystem level questions. I am especially interested in how human driven changes to natural processes affect ecosystem resilience. My current research focuses on above ground nutrient cycling in northern hardwood forests. I am also working on a project investigating of the effects of historic land use on nitrogen transformations in lawns, and conducting an uncertainty analysis of long term atmospheric deposition at the Sevilleta LTER in New Mexico.

Adam Wild
adwild@syr.edu

• Degree Sought: MS
• Graduate Advisor(s): Yanai
• Area of Study: Ecology and Ecosystems
• Undergraduate Institute: SUNY College Agric Tech Cobleskll

Personal Statement
My interest span across multiple aspects of forest ecosystems and the practical application of plants. Currently my specific interests are in forest health and factors that influence their health and productivity.

Graduate Research Topic
I am currently studying the health and productivity of sugar maples based on available soil nutrients in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. My research project is determining whether the percent sugar content in the sap of sugar maples is increased by application of a calcium, nitrogen, or phosphorus fertilizer in the forest stand. Research discoveries will potentially have a beneficial application to maple syrup producers.

Favorite Quote
"In the hopes of reaching the moon men fail to see the flowers that blossom at their feet." -Albert Schweitzer

Yang Yang
yyang100@syr.edu

• Degree Sought: MS
• Graduate Advisor(s): Yanai
• Area of Study: Ecology and Ecosystems